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Depok on alert after latest diphtheria casualty
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A boy receives a diphtheria shot in Banda Aceh on Feb. 20. Depok in West Java declared a health emergency (KLB) following a diphtheria outbreak in December, which killed two people and infected 12 others. (Antara/Irwansyah Putra)
T
he Depok Health Agency in West Java has launched an epidemiology investigation on the latest case of diphtheria in the area, following the death of 10-year-old Faiz Juliansyah on Friday.
A team is currently following up on the people who were in close contact with Faiz during his illness.
“We’re giving them erythromycin – antibiotics for bacterial infections,” Depok Health Agency head Lies Karmawati told kompas.com on Monday. “We’re also cooperating with the district administration and the victim’s school, as well as the local police to ensure that everyone in the area has been vaccinated to prevent a further outbreak.”
Faiz, a student of Mekarjaya Depok state elementary school, was reportedly rushed to the Sukmajaya Health Center last week after experiencing four continuous days of high fever.
The next day, as his chin and neck became swollen, he was admitted to Hasanah Graha Afiah Hospital, which then was transferred him to the Sulianti Saroso Infection Center in North Jakarta on Feb. 16.
Unfortunately, Faiz’s condition was far too severe and he was unable to recover.
Depok declared a health emergency (KLB) following a diphtheria outbreak in December, which killed two people and infected 12 others. (vla)
